Borley's Cichlid Mbenji (Copadichromis borleyi 'Mbenji')
| Borley's Cichlid Mbenji Copadichromis borleyi 'Mbenji' | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Borley's Cichlid Mbenji |
| Name Lat. | Copadichromis borleyi 'Mbenji' |
| Family | Cichlids |
| Family lat. | Cichlidae |
| Order | Cichlids |
| Order lat. | Cichliformes |
| Origin | Lake Malawi |
| Habitat | Rocky shore |
| Diet | Planktivore |
| pH | 7.5-8.8 |
| Behavior | ♂ territorial |
| Keeping | Harem |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Mouthbrooder |
| Breeding | Simple |
| Life Span | 6-10 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 13-18 cm |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Hardness | 10-25 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 500 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 5"-7" |
| Temperature | 75-82 °F |
| Hardness | 178-445 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 130 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The Borley cichlid Mbenji is found exclusively (endemically) in the southwest of Lake Malawi near Mbenji Island. They live in the open water near the shore of the large rocky transition zone (rock littoral) with sandy bottoms at 5-10 m depth.
Maintenance
The aquarium setup should have rocky structures reaching to the water surface, with plenty of crevices, caves and shelters to provide hiding places, as well as robust plants, some free sand areas and plenty of free swimming space.
No ammonia, ammonium or nitrite should be detectable, and the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and the oxygen content, a filter adapted to the aquarium size and a heater are required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
In nature they feed mainly on plankton. The food supply consists of dry, frozen and live food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food for Malawi cichlids (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia, artemia, mosquito larvae and plankton (live or frozen)
It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They should be kept in a harem, one male with several females. The males behave territorially at spawning time, so keeping multiple harems is only recommended in a much larger and richly structured tank. They behave aggressively towards other fish with similar coloration and should only be socialized with assertive species or other Utaka cichlids
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The animals differ clearly in coloration (sexual dichromatism). The males are more colorful, have a blue head and longer extended fins. The female is smaller and inconspicuous beige-yellow colored.
Reproduction and breeding
They are maternal mouth breeders. Males build sandy nests near or under rocks and try to lure females there that are ready to spawn. Immediately after spawning, the females take the eggs into their throat sac for mouthbrooding. They keep the fry in their throat sac even after hatching and release them after about 3 weeks. During the entire brood care the female does not take any food.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.
Important
They belong to the Utaka cichlids, which at times inhabit the plankton-rich open water zone in front of rocks and reefs near the shore in swarms
Different site variants should not be kept together, as crossbreeding (hybridization) can occur
The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least fortnightly. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 2, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF